Blue Jackets Re-Sign RFA Kent Johnson to Multi-Year Deal

The Columbus Blue Jackets have re-signed restricted free agent Kent Johnson to a three-year deal, re-upping with the exciting young talented forward at a $1.8 million AAV through the 2026-27 season.

THREE MORE YEARS OF KJ 🤩🤩🤩

📝https://t.co/aFOm1KLxCS @RuoffMortgage | #CBJ pic.twitter.com/wRpsPnnQXd
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) July 27, 2024

A first-round pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, 5th overall, Johnson is coming off his entry-level deal.

He registered six goals and 10 assists for 16 points in 42 games this past season. He's posted 22 goals and 37 assists for 59 points in 130 career games over two+ years in Columbus, averaging 14:03 of ice time. But the flashes he's shown on the offensive end indicate that more will be coming from this exciting 21-year-old. He had a terrific rookie season for the Blue Jackets in 2022-23, recording 16 goals and 40 points in 79 games.

“Kent Johnson is an exciting young player with tremendous upside, and we are happy that he will continue to grow and develop as a Blue Jacket,” said Waddell. “He is just beginning to scratch the surface of what he can be as a player, and we believe he will be a very important part of our hockey club moving forward.”